He Paid Half My Mother’s Surgery, Now I Own Half His Company Chapter 05
The tech team quickly pulled the version history: Selena was the one who had modified the file.
Her face went pale. “I was only trying to help. I must have made an accidental edit. I’m so sorry, Mr. Fleming. I’ll accept whatever consequences come, even if it costs me my job.”
Antony reviewed the logs, sat silent for a beat, then slid a disciplinary notice toward me. “Sign this.”
It read: Jessie bears responsibility for inaccurate quote revisions. Formal written reprimand issued. Quarterly performance rating downgraded to Below Expectations.
I lifted my eyes to him. “You know full well I didn’t do this.”
Antony avoided meeting my gaze, his tone flat. “Selena is still in her probationary period. This mistake would damage her record. You’re different. You’re Mrs. Fleming. One write-up won’t hurt you.”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “What about all my hard work? All those all-nighters refining proposals, all the million-dollar deals I closed—does that count for absolutely nothing?”
Selena dabbed at her eyes and whispered. “Jessie, you have Mr. Fleming to fall back on. You can always go home if you lose this job. I have nobody but myself to rely on. You haven’t worked a real job before. You probably can’t understand how critical a clean resume is for me.”
I pushed the disciplinary document back across the desk. “I won’t sign it.”
Half an hour later, the reprimand was sent via email to the entire department anyway. My performance bonus was revoked, and sole credit for the project went to Selena.
Dead silence followed the email.
Minutes later, Linda marched into the boardroom with our entire project team trailing behind her.
She slammed a thick stack of printouts down on the conference table. “These are every single revision Jessie made for this project. She landed this client. She pulled all-nighters to shepherd this project across the finish line. Selena messed up the quote. Why is Jessie taking the fall?”
Henry spoke up, cheeks flushed with frustration. “When Jessie first started, she had a lot to learn. But now she pulls as much weight as any one of us. Mr. Fleming, you can’t keep dumping blame on her just because she won’t fight back.”
Tears pricked my eyes. This was what it felt like to have people firmly in your corner.
Selena burst into tears. “Jessie, if you dislike me so much just say it to my face. Why stir up the whole team and create such a scene?”
Antony’s expression went ice-cold. “Everyone out.”
Linda tried to argue further. Antony cut her off sharply. “I won’t repeat myself.”
Once the room emptied, he looked straight at me. “You’ve gotten quite bold, haven’t you Jessie? You refuse to sign the form yourself, so you rile up your whole team to fight your battles.”
“I didn’t incite anyone.”
“Then why would they dare storm in here?” He stepped closer, his gaze heavy. “Keep pushing this, and it won’t just be you getting punished. Linda, Henry, every single person who spoke up for you—all of them will lose their jobs.”
My fingers went numb.
Linda had a hefty mortgage. Henry had a newborn baby at home. I couldn’t get them dragged down alongside me.
I dropped my head. “I’m sorry.”
Antony’s brows knotted. “Apologize to who?”
My jaw clenched tight. I forced myself to look over toward Selena. “Selena, I’m sorry. This quote error was my oversight. It had nothing to do with you.”
Selena dried her tears and said softly. “Try not to let this happen again, Jessie. We’re all coworkers. Don’t let your feelings toward Mr. Fleming cloud your professional judgment.”
Antony’s rigid features softened. “From now on, behave yourself and stop undermining team morale.”
My chest burned, and I could barely draw breath.
I pulled out my phone and transferred five thousand dollars directly to his account. The note attached simply read: Repayment.
When Antony saw the transfer, his face darkened completely. “Jessie, are you really doing this?”
I grabbed my bag and held his stare unflinchingly. “Yes.”
Right in front of him, I submitted my formal resignation, then turned and walked out.
When I exited the conference room, a crowd of coworkers had gathered outside. Linda stared at me, deep worry etched on her face.
I forced a smile, swallowing down the hurt and the warmth I was leaving behind.
“Are you coming home tonight?” Antony called out behind me.
My phone buzzed. A message from Mom popped up, with two plane tickets to Southton City attached.
[Jessie, I’ve made up my mind.]
[I’m going with you to Southton City.]
[Switch jobs, file for a divorce—whatever you need.]
[Your happiness is all that matters.]